When we first stepped into the Oral School for Deaf Children in Kolkata, we were pleasantly surprised by the messages spread throughout the walls, written on brochures, and spoken directly from the teachers who work there:
“I hear with my heart, listen with my eyes, and speak with my hands”
“Come share our world of silence”
“Make friends with a deaf child”
Understanding the complexities of poverty, the caste system, and a common negligence towards any disability in India, The Oral School for Deaf Children seeks to give deaf children a chance in this world. The teachers show great passion for their work and students are encouraged to continue onto college or find employment. Where there is opportunity, they can prove themselves by giving back to their society the same as anyone else.
The title “Oral” school can be misleading, since their approach is actually total communication, using speech, signing, lip reading, mime, and gestures. “What is most important is that there is communication…an understanding,” says Senior Head Teacher Mrs. Jaya Gangulie.
Now working with 38 students and 12-15 teachers, the Oral School for Deaf Children will celebrate it’s 44th anniversary on August 10th. During our two all-day visits to the school, the students wore bright, genuine smiles, despite the severely limited space they had to work in. Current fundraising projects seek to find a more appropriate physical environment to accommodate for the school’s growth over the years.
